Andy Flower applauds Babar Azam's exceptional cricketing prowess

KARACHI, Jan 27: Former cricket star and coach, Andy Flower, has lauded Pakistani cricketer Babar Azam, hailing him as a player with extraordinary abilities. Flower, who previously coached the Gulf Giants in ILT20, shared his views in an exclusive interview on Pakistan Cricket's premier website, www.cricketpakistan.com.pk.

In the interview, Flower refrained from commenting on the speculation surrounding Babar Azam's captaincy, citing his lack of involvement in the Pakistani dressing room. However, he praised Azam's recent T20 series performance, emphasizing his overall consistency and significant contributions with the bat. Flower emphasized that while no player is a superman consistently performing at the highest standard, Babar Azam's exceptional abilities set him apart.

Reflecting on Pakistan's recent tours to Australia and New Zealand, Flower acknowledged the challenges faced by visiting teams. He highlighted the competitive Test series against Australia, expressing that with better fielding, the Green Caps could have tipped the results in their favor. Flower commended the visiting team for their resilience in tough Australian conditions.

Commenting on New Zealand, Flower acknowledged the formidable lineup and power-hitters in their squad, making it challenging to beat them on their home ground. He noted the difficulty of both tours and praised the players for their efforts.

Regarding his availability for the current Pakistan league, Flower clarified that due to a hectic schedule last year, including coaching stints in ILT20, HBLPSL, and IPL without a break, he won't be part of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). Conflicts with the scheduled ILT Twenty also contribute to his decision, as he expressed the need for a break.